CTICC collaborates with mining sector to highlight event greening and environmental sustainability

An environmental sustainability collaboration between the Cape Town International Convention Centre and Investing in African Mining Indaba has diverted 24 000kg of wood from landfill.

“We are passionate about finding ways to not only reduce our impact on the environment, but also to assist our clients to reduce theirs,” said CTICC CEO Julie-May Ellingson. “For years, we have been assisting our clients to reduce, reuse, recycle and upcycle what some would consider ‘waste’, whether it be materials used to build exhibition stands or excess food, so that we can divert as much waste as possible from landfill.”

The CTICC has made great strides in environmental sustainability in recent years and this success has become one of the centre’s unique selling points. The centre continually improves its energy and water efficiency, as well as providing adequate services for safe disposal and, wherever possible, the recycling of its waste. A concerted effort has also been made to raise awareness amongst staff and clients of the importance of reducing their environmental impact.

Through the partnership with Investing in African Mining Indaba, eight skips or 24 000kg of wood “waste” from exhibition stands was donated to Orion School for Persons with Disability and Cabrico Genuine Face Brick & Pavers.

The Orion School for Persons with Disability is located in Atlantis and cares for children and adults with physical, mental, intellectual and neurological disabilities. The school will use the 6 000kg of wood donated to manufacture tables and bookshelves for their classrooms, and to make coffee coasters, trays and placemats as part of their arts and crafts and income generating programme.

Cabrico Genuine Face Brick & Pavers, are based in Stellenbosch and manufacture bricks in an environmentally sustainable and energy efficient manner. The 18 000kg of wood received will be used as fuel for their oven that bakes the plaster bricks.

In addition to donating wood “waste”, Scan Display, who built the event’s exhibition stands, donated the branded fabric used for branding and directional signage purposes to Sealand Gear, who will reuse the fabric to produce bags, accessories and clothing.

Investing in African Mining Indaba is the largest mining gathering on African soil and this month brought together ministers and senior government representatives, major mining companies, mid and junior miners, investors and service providers. It was appropriate that the 25th anniversary of the Indaba was also its most sustainable and green event.

The Indaba attracted 6 050 delegates and uses the entire CTICC 1 building, including all the exhibition halls which covers a space of 11 399m².

Alex Grose, Managing Director of Investing in Africa Mining Indaba, said they were excited at the prospect of creating a more sustainable, green and environmentally-friendly event.

“We are always looking for ways to go green and learn about how we can do our part to impact the environment. The mining industry places great importance on sustainability. As a leading event in the mining industry, we are keen to lead on that front and are constantly looking at ways to operate in a responsible and sustainable manner. That includes our carbon footprint, community engagement, resource usage and much more,” said Grose.

In the 2017/18 financial year, the CTICC diverted 84% of its waste from landfill.

“Sustainability is everyone’s responsibility and, to this end, the CTICC has a clear Sustainability strategy,” says Ellingson. “Our mission statement includes the goal of becoming a world leader in sustainability initiatives – sustainability considerations are therefore central to every operation, every decision and every event.”

Grose would encourage other event organisers to green their events.

“Events can cause a lot of waste and leave a large carbon footprint so it is important that all event organisers try to increase their sustainability efforts where possible. It’s not as hard as we may think but it takes conscious effort,” he added.

For more information, contact the CTICC’s Corporate Communications department at +27 21 410 5000 or media@cticc.co.za.